Indonesia via Malaysia (Penang)

We bus it to Penang from the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Three and a half hours equals five in reality but no problem, we have AC and size.

Important to know that in Malaysia Uber was bought out by Grab which is reasonably priced and will deliver anything includng us.

So in my haste I booked a rather swankier hotel than usual, the Edison. It is a nice treat. Swam in length pool, then enjoyed free pre-dinner wine and hors d’ourvres.

Our hotel manager Albert, who confessed to being a “foodie”, advised on the best nearby spots as well as some non food gems:

HIN old Bus Terminal Special Craft Exhibit: lots of crafts to explore.

We try to get into another tycoon mansion known as the Blue House across the street from The Edison but all booked so head to the Penang Peranakan Mansion. Another tycoon residence shows an opulant lifestyle.

Of great interest were the  Clan Jetties along the strait. Of the seven we visited three: Chew (hundreds), Tan (12 residents)and Lee (24 residents). Homes were built on stilts on the shoreline by immigrants from southern China seeking work in the late 1800s. Not being on land allowed the newcomers to avoid property tax.

By far the largest and most prosperous and commercial was the Chew Jetty:

Going up Penang Hill is of course a must. Why not climb it latish afternoon and catch the sunset? We take the steep more direct Heritage Trail.

Options at mid way: walk back down or catch the funicular to top if it ever stops mid way. (We had conflictng opinions about whether it ever stopped here). Fortunately we were in luck.

Back down via a fun funicular ride we have our driver deliver us to Kafe The Leaf Healthy House for a great vegetarian meal (top). Top is another dining spotwe of note: Lagenda.